Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Greek Orthodox Easter Traditions: "Christos Anesti"
Greek Orthodox Easter Traditions: "Christos Anesti"
-4- -1-
Traditionally, women and children and passes the flame, the light of
take flowers to the church to the Resurrection, to those
decorate the Epitaphio (the symbolic nearest him. The flame is then
bier of Christ).The Service of passed from person to person,
Lamentation mourns the death of and it isn't long before the
Christ and the bier, decorated lavishly church and courtyard are filled
with flowers and bearing the image of with flickering candlelight. The
Christ, is carried on the shoulders of the faithful in a procession night air is filled with the singing
through the community to the cemetery, and back. Members of the of the Byzantine Chant "Christos Anesti" and the "fili tis Agapis"
congregation follow, carrying candles. On Holy Saturday, the Eternal (kiss of Love) and wishes are exchanged. As is the custom, as
Flame is brought to Greece by military jet, and is distributed to soon as "Christos Anesti" is called out, church bells ring joyously
waiting Priests who carry it to their local churches. The event is non-stop, ships in ports all over Greece sound their horns,
always televised and if there's a threat of bad weather or a delay, the floodlights are lit on large buildings, and great and small displays
entire country agonizes until the flame arrives safely. On the morning of fireworks and noisemakers are set off. Once the Priest has
of Holy Saturday, preparations begin for the next day's Easter feast. called out "Christos Anesti," friends and neighbors exchange the
Dishes that can be prepared in advance are made, and the traditional same, saying "Christos Anesti" and, in response, "Alithos Anesti"
mayiritsa soup is prepared, which will be eaten after the midnight (truly, He is risen) or "Alithinos o Kyrios" (true is the Lord).
service, to break the fast. The midnight Service of the Resurrection It is the custom to carry the
is an occasion attended by everyone who is able, including children, Eternal Flame home and use it to
each holding a white candle. make the sign of the cross on the
Special candles made for Easter are called door frame in smoke. The smoke
"lambatha" and are often given as gifts to cross is left there throughout the
children from their parents or God-parents. year, symbolizing that the light of
These candles can be lavishly decorated with the Resurrection has blessed the
favorite children's heroes or storybook home. The candles are used to
characters, and may be as much as three feet light icon candelabra, and are put on the table for the midnight
tall, but the candle itself is usually white. meal. The sight of hundreds of candle flames moving from
These candles are only used for one Easter churches to homes on that night is beautiful, indeed. Once home,
midnight service. Crowds are so big that everyone gathers around the table for a traditional meal to break
churches fill to overflowing as anticipation the fast, which includes the mayiritsa soup, tsoureki and the red
mounts. Shortly before midnight, all lights eggs. However, before the eggs are eaten, there's a traditional
are extinguished and churches are lit only by challenge: "tsougrisma". Holding your egg, you tap the end
the Eternal Flame on the altar. When the clock passes midnight, the against the end of your opponent's egg, trying to crack it. t's a
Priest calls out "Christos Anesti" (Christ is risen), game enjoyed by children and adults alike.
-2- -3-